Skopje, 11 April 2025 (MIA) - The Joint Multidisciplinary Commission of Experts in Historical and Educational Issues held its 35th meeting on Thursday and Friday in Sofia, Prof. Dr. Vancho Gjorgjiev, chair of the Macedonian team, reported.

During the opening of the meeting, the Macedonian team thanked the Republic of Bulgaria and its institutions for the support in caring for and treating the injured in Kochani tragedy, and also expressed appreciation to the Bulgarian people for their empathy and solidarity.

The meeting was conducted in a constructive working atmosphere, with intensive discussions focusing on issues within the Commission’s scope.

“During the 35th meeting, the commission discussed proposed recommendations for the Macedonian textbooks for the 7th grade and possibility of joint celebrations. The two sides engaged in a dynamic exchange of views but failed to reach progress on those issues. They did, however, agree on the positions outlined in the draft minutes from the 29th meeting,” reads the press release.

The Commission’s last meeting took place in February in Skopje.

The next meeting between the Macedonian and Bulgarian historians is expected to be held in Skopje in June.

The Government elected the new composition of the Macedonian team in the commission on September 10, 2024, with Faculty of Philosophy professor Vancho Gjorgjiev as its chair.

In addition to Mitko Panov, the commission also includes Aleksandar Litovski and Dimitar Ljorovski from the Institute of National History, Nikola Minov and Sasho Dodevski from the Faculty of Philosophy, and Besnik Emini from the Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Albanians.

The chair, Vancho Gjorgjiev, was a former member of the Commission but resigned in 2021. According to his statement at the time, he left due to facing political pressures affecting the Commission’s work.

The Joint Commission, comprised of historians and professors from North Macedonia and Bulgaria, was set up in line with the Friendship Treaty signed in August 2017.

The Commission has so far adopted recommendations for joint celebrations of five historical figures – Saints Cyril and Methodius, St. Naum of Ohrid, St. Clement of Ohrid, and Tsar Samoil, along with five recommendations for changes to history textbooks for 6th grade in North Macedonia and 5th grade in Bulgaria.

Photo: MIA archive